Global village: mobile access to library resources
| Pages | 467-477 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-12-2012-0132 |
| Published date | 02 September 2013 |
| Date | 02 September 2013 |
| Author | Jingru Hoivik |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology |
Global village: mobile access to
library resources
Jingru Hoivik
IT Department, National Library of Norway, Oslo, Norway
Abstract
Purpose – This paper describes an ongoing mobile library project for the National Library of
Norway. The purpose is to develop a visual web service prototype providing mobile access to the
library’s growing repository of digital data.
Design/methodology/approach – The author has set up several test databases and developed a
number of Android applications (apps) for testing purposes: image presentation; library’s digital
exhibition “in the pocket”; traditional free text search; location based search; barcode scan for ISBN
search / QR encapsulation; and voice/spoken search.
Findings – These six approaches were found to be promising using mobile technology. Cloud
technology has changed the mobile phone from a voice transmitter to a multi-purpose device
connected to the network. Library resources may now be distributed in the cloud, with global mobile
access, to really achieve a global library network.
Originality/value – The applications developed here are innovative and unique, and will add to the
general body of use cases.
Keywords Mobile learning,Digital curation, Android apps, Spokensearch, Location based search,
Cloud technology,Libraries, Norway
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The new electronic interdependence recreates the world in the image of a global village
(McLuhan, 1962, p. 31).
The prescienceof McLuhan’s writings is striking,even though he did not foresee therise
of the internet.But 50 years later the network has indeed created a framework to sustain
a virtual global village. Using cloud technology we are no longer dependent on specific
schemata and coding systems for the library field as such (even though they are still
useful), but may sharelibrary resources on a global level with generalized protocols and
access mechanisms. Access to online textual resources rapidly becomes commonplace.
The National Library of Norway is a basic supplier of information resources about
Norway and the history and cultural heritage of this country; – collecting, archivin g,
organizing and distributing a wide range of materials. The documents date back to the
Middle Ages and are based on a variety of physical carriers – paper for sure but also
materials like parchment, glass plates, vinyl records and other “old” formats.
Today, the central pillar of the library collection is the Legal Deposit Act. This
ensures that virtually everything that is published in Norway can be found in the
National Library. The Library is also responsible for the national bibliography, a
catalog of all Norwegian literature, which acts as a key to the important parts of these
collections.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
Global village
467
Received 3 December 2012
Revised 10 January 2013
21 January 2013
Accepted 25 January 2013
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 31 No. 3, 2013
pp. 467-477
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/LHT-12-2012-0132
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